Physician Assistant Job Profile
A physician assistant is one step below a physician in the hierarchy of medical service professionals. This means that they are allowed to do most of the routine tasks and diagnoses that are thought to be the sole responsibility of a physician, as long as those procedures are completed under the supervision of a physician. This supervision can be direct and in the same office or, as is the case in many clinics and rural areas, the supervising physician may only be physically present for one or two days per week to ensure that the facility is operating properly. With this said, for normal and routine medical situations, the physician assistant is oftentimes allowed to diagnose, prescribe and treat that condition without direct consultation with a medical doctor or physician.
This puts a great deal of responsibility onto the physician assistant. They are not only responsible for primary and ongoing patient care, but they are also responsible for the overall operation of the medical office in which they work. This includes making certain that all medical supplies are up to date, handled, and stored properly. It also includes making certain that all staff are properly following all medical procedures in the handling of patients, the sterilization of equipment, the sterilization of the office, and properly handling general patient care.
In addition to this office management the physician assistant is primarily called upon to perform medical diagnoses and treatments with their patients. This includes interviewing and talking with the patient to identify symptoms and causes, as well as examining that patient both physically and with the use of x-rays, other medical equipment, and ordering laboratory tests. The physician assistant is then able to interpret the results from the equipment or laboratories to prescribe treatment and care for the patient. This is important to note as the physician assistant is allowed to do all of this for the more routine of medical situations. For more complex or critical care situations, the physician assistant is required to pass the care to the supervising physician. The line between what the physician assistant can care for and where they must pass the case to the physician is different in each state and is determined by state law.
In addition to the diagnoses and prescription of treatment for patients the physician assistant is also oftentimes called in to counsel patients on a variety of issues. This includes the proper handling of the effects of illness and disease as well as learning how to live a healthy lifestyle. This discussion can include counseling on sexual health as well as nutritional health and exercise. It can also revolve around family planning as well as advice on how to handle various aspects of life such as depression or mental illness. The physician assistant is in a position where patients look to them for help and therefore all physician assistants must understand that an important part of their job is in the counseling of their patients. It is not just about medical treatment and care, it is about total patient care, including providing life skills.
No related articles.